PERTH, Australia (AP) – An uncontrolled wildfire burning in the northeastern Australian city of Perth on the west coast has destroyed at least 56 homes and threatened more Tuesday, and many residents in the region said it is too late to leave.
The 7,000-hectare (17,000-acre) blaze, which has a perimeter of 80 kilometers, began on Monday and lasted overnight near the town of Wooroloo, with the counties of Mundaring, Chittering, Northam and the town of Swan affected.
Losses were expected to increase as teams continued to assess the damage, said West Australian State Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm.
One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and another received a superficial burn to the ear, said Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters. No other injuries were reported.
The fire doubled in size overnight and burned 7,366 hectares (18,202 acres) of farm and forest land, Waters said.
“Strong winds prevent us from entering and containing the fire and controlling it,” he said.
State Prime Minister Mark McGowan said 80% of all property in Tilden Park, near Gidgegannup, in the north-eastern rural strip of Perth, has been lost.
McGowan said a large cistern flew from the east coast of Australia to help fight the blaze.
“This is an extremely dangerous fire and a serious situation. Weather conditions are extremely volatile, ”McGowan said.
“Please do your best to keep you and your family safe and to take care of each other,” he added.
On Tuesday people were told a 25-kilometer (16-mile) stretch west from Wooroloo to Walyunga National Park northeast of Perth had become too dangerous to leave their homes.
“You have to take refuge before the fire comes, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you,” the last warning said.
Roads coming out of the semi-rural suburb The vineyards on the northern outskirts of Perth had very heavy traffic, which caused some people to stay.
Melissa Stahl, 49, heeded a text telling her to evacuate.
“I smelled the fire and went out from behind and the whole yard was full of smoke,” he said. “We grabbed bedding, photos, the two kids and the dog and got out of there.”
A warning to other threatened areas told people to leave if they are not prepared to fight the fire. The bushfire is unpredictable and weather conditions are changing rapidly, according to the warning, which urged people to stay alert.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
Fire and Emergency Services Superintendent Peter Sutton said about 250 firefighters had been fighting the erratic fire.
“It’s made it very difficult, almost impossible … to suppress that fire,” Sutton said.
Forest fires are common during the current summer in the southern hemisphere. However, the season has been mild on the south-east coast of Australia, which was devastated by massive fires last summer.